91. SCI^NID^ — CYNOSCION. 579 



second anal spine small; pectoral fin short and caudal snbtruncate. 

 Head 3^ ; depth about 3. D. X-I, 24 ; A. II, (5; Lat. 1. about 62. {nol- 

 hrool:) South Atlantic coast and southward ; rare. 



(Holbrook, Ich. S. C. 18(50, 154; Giiutber, ii, 2(59.) 



303.— ATRACTOSCIOIV Gill. 



(Gill, Troc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 18,;2, 18: type OtoUthus wqmdenH Cuv. & Val.) 



This genus diifers from Cynoscion only in the dentition, the bands of 

 teeth being somewhat broatler and some of the teeth near the middle of 

 the upper jaw enlarged, but not forming canines. The species are 

 among the largest of the SciccnidcB, and as food-fishes they are among 

 the best, {azpay-n-^ a spindle; o-xtoy, Sciiena.) 



912. A. nobile (Ayres) Gill.— ^/((7<> Sea Bass; *S'm Trout; Corvina. 



Dull silvery, bluish above; everywhere puuctulate; young with obscure, 

 dusky cross-bars; axil and fins dusky. Body elongate-elliptical, not 

 much compressed ; head slender, conical, the snout rather pointed ; mouth 

 terminal, oblique, the lower jaw the longer; maxillary reaching to be- 

 yond pupil; premaxillary in front on the level of the orbit; teeth in 

 lower jaw enlarged and in a single row laterally, anteriorly smaller, in 

 a broad iiatch, the inner series in both jaws reflexed and movable ; upper 

 jaw with about two series on sides forming a broad cardiform patch in 

 front; a few of the teeth near the middle of the jaw enlarged but not 

 canine-like; gill-rakers moderate, very strong; scales very thin, weakly 

 ctenoid; anal spines 2, weak, the first sometimes obsolete; fins low, 

 pectoral not reaching half \yiiy to vent; caudal lunate, the upi^er lobe 

 generally longest. Head 3i ; depth 4. D. X-I, 21 ; A. II, 9 ; Lat. 1. 

 88 (tubes); more than 100 series of scales. Pacific coast north to !San 

 Francisco; one of the largest and most valuable of our Scioenoid fislics, 

 reaching a weight of GO to 70 i)ounds. The flesh is firm and rich. 



(Johnius nohilis Ayres, Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1800, 78 ; Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 

 Pbila. 1862, 18: OtoUthus californeiisis Steinducbner, Iclith. Beitriige, iii, 31, 187.'i, the 

 youug or " Sea Trout.") 



304.— CYIVOSCIOIV Gill. 



Weak-fishes. 



{Ccstrens Gronow ; not of C. «fc V.) 

 (Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1801, 49 : type Johnius rrr/alis, Bloch.) 



Body elongate, little compressed ; the back not elevated. Hcud 

 conical, rather pointed. Mouth larger than in our other Scia^noids; tlio 

 lower jaw projecting. Maxillary very broad. Teeth sharp, not closely 



